Category: Home Improvements

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Getting home repair grants

Everyone could use help with home repair grants and it’s relatively easy to find them if you look in the right place. A friend of mine just moved to New Jersey and bought one of those kinds of homes that is in need of some big time TLC. When she called me the first night she stayed in her new home, she had a slew of things on a list that needed to be done before she could even begin to move fully, let alone get the house prepared for the winter months.

After doing some asking around, looking on the internet and then talking to the people in the neighborhood, she found that there is assistance with home repairs there and she is going to indeed find out more about this, so she can do the big repairs that have to be definitely done before winter hits. My friend is working a steady job, but it took quite a bit of her savings to not only buy the house, but the move there was  pricey also.

I asked her if she could get insulation assistance in NJ, not only warmth for the winter, but also it helps the house stay cooler in the summer as well. I found that my friend, Sandy was right on the ball so to speak, about getting the information and the help she will need with improvements. I’m very happy for her and can’t wait to visit her in her new house, once she is ready to have guest.

 

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A bit of mural painting

I have a spare bedroom that I have been using as place to go to when I want to just get away from the family. Yes folks, Mom’s do that every so often to regain sanity. I usually shut the door, read and listen to the music I want to listen to, since this relaxes me and my family respect my privacy there.

I was looking at the room as a whole and all but one wall has a window. It is a perfect wall to use as a canvas, and I’ve decided to either paint a mural on the wall. I thought about stenciling it, but I can indeed paint when the mood strikes me…not just general wall painting, but the artistic kind,  so I’ve begun making sketches of what I would like to have on this “wall canvas” then I’m going to go for it.

This will be one of my winter time projects and after I paint it, I’ll continue on with decor and then perhaps turn it into a guest bedroom. I really like remodeling rooms as a sort of hobby, plus it is improving the look of the home, so this is going to be my kind of relaxation and fun.

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Laminate counters from Kitchen Magic

Since I am in the process of starting some home improvement projects for the winter months, I took a good hard look at my kitchen counters and then started looking on the internet where I found Kitchen Magic. I am quite impressed with what this company has to offer. I love the durability of laminate counters and it seems while everyone else is choosing wood, or stone at exorbitant prices, I wanted to go for not only beauty, but something that would handle the wear and tear of a regular household and be affordable.

With laminate counters, there is no dangerous fumes that a sealant could be released, nor is there any worry about radon that can also be released into the air. I don’t think people think of these things while buying counter tops. To me this would be very much of a concern, since food is of course prepared on counter tops and one can never be too cautious about these things.

With Kitchen Magic counter tops, I found that I could get counters that look like real stone or wood, without any worry about ruining the surface if they were accidentally cut or something hot was put on them. I’m leaning to getting these counter tops for my kitchen and I really can’t wait to get started on my next projects!

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Fall projects

Now that fall is nearly up on us, it’s time for me to start making my list on what I’m going to do not only has home improvement, but also a project for me around the house. Paint, new carpet and new furniture.

A lot of people don’t paint in the winter because of ventilation, but I do and I want to paint my office/den, even though I’m not really quite sure what color I want yet. I have been actually leaning toward paneling, but I’m just not sure if I want to go through that hassle.

Looking at the carpet in this room, makes me want new carpet also. I figure if I’m going to change this room’s appearance, I may as well go all the way with it and the project will keep me busy until I go on to another room!

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Gathering seeds and doing household repair

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been gathering seeds from what I call, my “blown out herbs and flowers” so I can put them in packages, mark them and then plant again next year. I love having herbs, flowers and other plants that I have grown and then gathered the seeds, and planted again the next spring. Generations of plants, so to speak.

I’m also getting the house ready for the winter. There are some repairs needed to be done on the outside of the house, due to the drought and yet also the terrible storms that passed through when we did get rain.

All of these things I love to do but need help with, and I have to admit that my kids have been wonderful about helping me with the a lot of the things that need to be done. This gives me peace of mind and also knowing that I am going to be prepared (sort of) for the winter and also have the spring seeds to plant, will save money and help me to keep from a great deal of worry.

 

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New lawn furniture

By putting off buying lawn furniture until now, I’ve been looking at all the styles and sets on sale and there are some awesome buys and deals out there to be had now that summer is nearly over. There are two sets I’ve sort of got my heart set on, but haven’t decided which I’m going to buy yet.

I would like to get a set that will go up on the deck around the pool, since the furniture I have now, doesn’t seem like it’s going to last through another summer. It’s starting to look worn out, because it’s been bleached by the sun and the fact that the chemicals in the pool are on it from everyone sitting on the furniture while they are wet. One will have that and I’m glad the seat coverings aren’t made from fabric.

There is a set that I particularly like, with a table and an umbrella, that would be perfect for this deck also. The seats are made out of a sort of woven non fabric material that I think would last longer than the tufted and stuffed cloth type material that I have. Decisions, decisions…

 

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Touch of elegance for the bath

Since my bathroom is nearly complete and I must admit is also starting to look very elegant, I would like to get bath accessories that will elude elegance  also. This room is my personal bathroom and I want it to stay nice. Also I’d like for it to be finished as a reflection upon my taste, which is sometimes a bit eclectic, but also more expensive than I would put in my spare baths or in my kid’s bathrooms, for instance.

In my opinion, my bathroom is a haven. A place for me to relax and pamper myself. I love and want all of my accessories to match and make the room to feel comfortable, and classy also. I went with more expensive tile, sinks, mirrors and flooring, so I’m not going to scrimp on the final touches and decor, that make it all come together.

Looking for just the right candles, soap and toothbrush holder, sponges and towels has been a joy to shop for. For once, everything is going to match and yet can also be mixed with various other colors so I can change these, depending the moods I have. Even my face cloths will have my initials on them. I thank my husband since this room is my first big anniversary gift from him. I must admit, he didn’t make me go easy financially on what I wanted to make my bathroom start to come together just exactly the way I would like it!

 

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Garden planning for next year

This years gardens and lawns did not do well at all. It’s sad because I had seeded, planted and even reseeded in hopes that my plants and flowers could or might do well despite of lack of rain. I was wrong. Even watering from the hose didn’t help.

I’ve been looking at various seeds and plants that might do well despite the lack of rain, in case next summer is anything like this summer has been. In our growing area, it’s pretty sparse pickings. No pun intended.

In the mean time, I’m trying to get the remodeling of my bathroom finished, so at least I’ll have the extra money to plant new flowers, plants and veggies next spring. Hopefully, that will be finished toward the middle of next month if all goes well with the plumbing. As far as my gardens go…I’m still trying to water, but it’s a loosing battle.

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The gift of a spice rack

My oldest daughter called me and asked what kind of spice rack she would need for her kitchen. I sat on the other end of the phone in puzzlement. My  kids have asked me a lot of various questions in their lifetime, some of which were quite strange questions, but never about a thing like this. I think maybe she was hinting that she would like to have one.

Spice racks to me are personal. I don’t really like to cook, but cook I do, and I’m good at it. One can be good at something and still not like to do it. When it comes to my spices, I’m very picky. The order they are in, and the type of spice group they are in is important to me. That is where good spice racks come in. They are awesome for organization of spices and also save space.

I think, judging how my daughter’s kitchen is set up, that she should look into a wall spice rack. She is learning now how to use various spices, and this way they would be right within her reach, organized, and would be a nice decor touch for her kitchen. I’ll be buying my daughter’s her first spice rack. I’ve seen some nice ones that she will be sure to like.

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Possibilities of a small pond

Kicking around the possibility of a small pond has been on my mind lately. We have enough room on our lot out in the back yard, and I would really love to see what I could do when it comes to landscaping around a pond.

I don’t want a really big pond. A small one, stocked with some fish and water critters would work just fine for me. My dog could swim in it, and I wouldn’t have to worry like I do if he goes into the pool. I am afraid one of these days he is going to rip the liner, and in a pond there isn’t that worry. He loves the water and since the temperature hasn’t budged below 85 degrees in the last few weeks, it would be a great respite from the heat for my little guy.

Of course, I’ve not mentioned my idea to my husband yet. I have to come up with some very good pros, to counter his cons. We’ll see what happens, but I would indeed love to have a small pond.